6-J2 



FARM SEEDS 



SPECIAL 



feature. Usually, however, they are not so abundant in this seed, 

 and pure natural samples do not cling together so much as those 

 of Poa pratensis. 



PuRiT'i'. — The smaller seeds of samples of Poa pratensis ^.xt 

 often screened off from the larger ones, and these fraudulently 

 substituted for the more expensive Poa trivialis. Various means 

 are adopted to rub off the hairs from the base and marginal ribs 

 to make the resemblance more complete, and in such machined 

 samples it is necessary to employ a higher magnifying power 

 than that of a pocket lens in their examination. The seeds of 

 Aira caespitosa and Molinia caruha are occasional impurities. 

 The Ger.min,\tion C.^pacity should be the same as that 

 of the preceding species, and Bushel-weight 30 lbs. 

 Wood Meadow-Grass (Poa iienioralis L.) — The 

 seeds of this species are very variable, and cannot 

 be distinguished from those of Poa pratensis L. 



Pure samples can sometimes be obtained with a 

 Germination capacity of So pjer cent., and Bushel- 

 weight of 24 lbs. 



Meadow Fescue (Pestuca pratensis Huds.j ; — 

 Form, Size axd Colour. — The flowering glume 

 of the seed is rounded on the lower part of 

 the back, and has five indistinct veins, the middle 

 one or keel being more prominent near the tip 

 with a few rough, short hairs upon it. The 

 free end of the glume is thin, bluntish, and 

 occasionally split or notched. Sometimes a short 

 awn arises just below tliis point. The rachilla 

 which does not lie very close to the pale is cylindrical, with a 

 flattened projecting top (Fig. 220). The length of the seed is 

 about 7 mm., and breadth i '5 to ryy mm. 



PuRiTV. — Sami'les may be obtained quite pure, but it is ad- 

 visable to examine all pjurchases for Perennial Rye-grass, which 

 is extensively used for adulterating this species. Both seeds are 



Fig. 220. — Seed 

 of Meaduw 

 Fescue. 



